Substance-Use Disorder Quiz

What Do You Know About Substance-Use Disorder?

Substance-use disorder is also called drug addiction. It affects more than just the person using the drugs. Substance abuse can break apart families, ruin personal relationships, and make it difficult to keep a job. Learn more about substance-use disorder and its effects by taking this quiz. It is based on information from National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

1. People who abuse drugs are weak-willed. They could control their craving for drugs if they tried.

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People who abuse drugs can become addicted to them. Addiction is a complex condition of the brain and brain chemistry. It drives people to use drugs even when they know about the health or social problems that can happen. Although people have a choice about whether to use drugs when they first start, continuing to use them affects how the brain works. This leads to addictive behavior. Seeking drugs becomes compulsive. Addiction is often chronic. This means that even if an addicted person stops using drugs, he or she can relapse and begin using again. Drug treatment can help break this cycle.

A. TrueB. False

2. Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the U.S.

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Marijuana is the dried leaves, flowers, and seeds of the hemp plant. Smoking marijuana causes the user to feel euphoria. But short-term effects also include problems with memory and learning, loss of coordination, and higher heart rate. Long-term effects may include addiction, frequent respiratory infections, and possibly a higher risk for cancer.

A. TrueB. False

3. "Club drugs" got their start at all-night dance parties among teens. These illicit drugs have moved into mainstream culture.

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A "club drug" is an umbrella term for a wide variety of mood-altering drugs. These include the stimulants Ecstasy/MDMA and methamphetamine, the depressants GHB and rohypnol, and the anesthetics ketamine and PCP. Health problems linked with these drugs range from amnesia to seizures and coma, and even death.

A. TrueB. False

4. Over the last few years, the number of people abusing controlled prescription drugs in the U.S. has grown.

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According to the NIDA, many health care providers say that it's not unusual for their patients to pressure them into prescribing a controlled medicine, such as an opioid pain reliever or stimulant. The most commonly abused prescription drugs include the opioids Vicodin and OxyContin.

A. TrueB. False

5. Anabolic steroids are the same as corticosteroids. Both drugs have the same dangerous side effects.

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Both of these are called steroids, but corticosteroids are prescription medicines used to ease swelling and inflammation. Corticosteroids are safe and effective when taken as directed. Anabolic steroids are male hormones. They are either testosterone or a synthetic form of testosterone. Anabolic steroids are prescribed to treat certain kinds of anemia, wasting disease associated with AIDS, and conditions causing abnormally low levels of testosterone. But these drugs are often abused by bodybuilders and others who want to build muscle. When abused, anabolic steroids can cause overly aggressive behavior, heart attacks, stroke, and severe liver disease. They can also cause acne and hair loss. Men who abuse anabolic steroids may develop enlarged breasts and smaller testicles. Women may develop masculine traits like facial hair and deepened voice.

A. TrueB. False

6. A single time of repeated "sniffing" of an inhalant can cause heart failure and death.

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This is called "sudden sniffing death." It can occur in otherwise healthy people. Inhalants are chemical vapors that when inhaled cause mind-altering effects. These inhalants are household products like spray paints, glues, and cleaning fluids. Inhalants fall into 3 categories: solvents, gases, and nitrites. They all have effects similar to an anesthetic. They slow down the body's functions and make the user feel intoxicated. In high concentrations, inhalants can cause death by heart failure or by suffocation. The chance of suffocation is higher when a person inhales a chemical sprayed into a paper or plastic bag.

A. TrueB. False

7. Different drugs cause different symptoms, so it's not always easy to tell when someone is abusing a substance. One possible sign of substance-use disorder in teens is when grades slip and school attendance becomes irregular.

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According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA), these are also warning signs of possible drug addiction in a teenager:

The teen becomes withdrawn, depressed, or careless about personal grooming.

8. If you suspect that a loved one is abusing drugs, wait to discuss the issue with the person until he or she is not high.

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You should also wait until a time when the person is not upset or angry. The first step in talking to your teen or other family member is to express your love for him or her and your concern about your teen's health and safety, according to the PDFA. You should also share with the person the warning signs you have seen. Emphasize that the problem needs serious attention and support because it can get out of control. You should remain calm, neutral, and nonjudgmental, and listen to the person's response. For other suggestions on how to talk to your child about a drug abuse problem, visit the PDFA website (http://www.drugfree.org/).

A. TrueB. False

9. Most people who are treated for substance-use disorder need to stay in treatment for at least 3 months.

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The length of time needed for effective treatment varies from person to person. But for most people, the minimum amount of time is 3 months. Just as length of treatment varies with the person, so does the type of treatment. No single treatment works for everyone. Detoxification is only the first step in drug treatment. What is critical is that detox be followed with group or individual counseling. A person who abuses drugs needs to learn skills to resist drugs and new activities to replace those associated with drugs.

Disclaimer:This information is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your child's physician. The content provided on this page is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your child's physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition.